Whiteout (Survival Instincts #1) by Adriana Anders

* * * * *

Angel Smith is ready to leave Antarctica for a second chance at life. But on what was meant to be her final day, the research station is attacked. Hunted and scared, she and glaciologist Ford Cooper barely make it out with their lives…only to realize that in a place this remote, there's nowhere left to run.

Isolated in the middle of a long, frozen winter with a madman at their heels, they must fight to survive in the most inhospitable—and beautiful—place on earth. But the outside world depends on what Ford and Angel know and, as their pursuers close in and their new partnership burns bright and hot, they will stop at nothing to make it out of the cold alive.

Source: advance e-galley provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review


As someone who does not like the cold or enjoy winter I cannot think of a more nightmarish scenario - being stuck on a hostile, frozen continent with a bunch of bad guys after you. No, thank you. But I'll happily read about it if it's an Adriana Anders book!

After witnessing a gruesome murder, Angel, originally set to depart from Antarctica after her months-long stint as the cook - a role she fulfilled with purpose - misses her flight and becomes the prey. Not only did she witness the murder, she also got away with what the murderers were after: vials containing a deadly virus that was collected by scientist, Ford Cooper aka Coop. Angel hasn't had much contact with him as he prefers to be out in the harsh elements alone with his scientific equipment than seek the company of people. But she knows he is her only salvation at this point even if he's barely said two words to her or looked at her the entire time she's been there. Coop knows something is definitely wrong when he finds traces of abandoned and broken equipment out in the elements but no signs of one of his fellow researchers. When he returns to his research station, he knows something is definitely amiss, and once he runs into Angel, all his suspicions are confirmed. They need to seek out safety by travelling to a distant Russian research station that's over 300 miles away. The vehicle they travel in doesn't take them far and then the rest of the perilous journey has to be taken on foot, or skis rather, while lugging equipment, food and those much sought-after vials. Keeping them out of the wrong hands is imperative. 

It's hard to decide which is worse, the mercenaries they're escaping from or the hostile weather environment they're in. In some ways, the weather is an unlikely ally by grounding planes or decreasing visibility. Surviving in it is a different story completely. I was surprised by Angel's grit just as she was. She came to Antarctica to distract herself from what she lost or left behind. She didn't expect to find this extraordinary version of herself who's willing to push the limits of her mind, body and endurance to protect something that could destroy the world. Every mile walked is a mile conquered but comes with unforeseen dangers. Coop knows what's out there. This is his life and he thrives in these elements. He's used to it but to be responsible for someone who never sought this out is something entirely alien to him. Angel tests his fierce discipline. He's someone who prefers solace because he can't handle excess stimulus and Angel has always been more than his senses could take. Now here in the middle of nowhere he employs his knowledge of this inhospitable landscape and his instincts to keep them both alive. What he doesn't anticipate is Angel's proximity to chisel away at his tough exterior. Fully aware of what's at stake, she astounds him with her determination and unwillingness to give up. Thankfully Anders can always be counted out to increase the heat factor between her heroes and heroines. If forced proximity is your jam, then you'll feast off of this literal life and death situation where the tension is amped up all the way to 11. There's nowhere to go to hide from it.

Whiteout is high-octane adventure with numerous twists and turns that propel the action the entire time. Even in the downtime there's that heady feeling of anything can happen in a split second. Antarctica is the other main character in the book, ambivalent towards everyone but a major player in what is to come. If it's not the imminent evil chasing after them, it's the hazardous conditions, depleting rations, and unexpected dangers that could do them in. Then there are additional POVs adding another sinister element to the overall story. The evil mastermind has a heartbreaking motivation behind their nefarious plans which blurs all moral lines. 

I couldn't read Whiteout fast enough and I had to contain my own anxiety for Angel and Coop which was spiking all over the place! Anders is a sensational writer for letting her characters get under your skin and deep into your veins. The ending which promises of a happily ever after is shattered by a cliffhanger that left me startled and excited. If this is how the first book went, I can't even begin to imagine how much more high stakes and crazy it will get in the next one!

~ Bel

Sideswiped (Off The Map #2) by Lia Riley

* * * 3/4

It was only meant to last the summer . . .

Talia Stolfi has seen more than her share of loss in her twenty-one years. But then fate brought her Bran Lockhart, and her dark world was suddenly and spectacularly illuminated. So if being with Bran means leaving her colorless NorCal life for rugged and wild Australia, then that’s what she’ll do. But as much as Talia longs to give herself over completely to a new beginning, the fears of her past are still lurking in the shadows.

Bran Lockhart knows that living without the beautiful girl who stole his heart will be torment, so he’ll take whatever time with her he can. But even though she has packed up her life in California and is back in his arms for the time being, she can’t stay forever. 

And the remaining time they have together is ticking by way too fast. Though fate seems determined to tear them apart, they won’t give up without a fight—because while time may have limits, their love is infinite . . .

After a rather rough but eventually redeeming end in Upside Down, you’d think things would get easier. At least that’s what I was thinking for some reason. I was naively dreaming that Talia and Bran would somehow find a way to be together and that they’d be off in la-la-lovey-dovey land being all sickeningly new –coupley cute.  Not so much. It’s downright romantic to declare your eternal love and devotion to someone, but once in the thick of the relationship when problems arise, how devoted can you be?

Sideswiped follows Talia and Bran enjoying the newness of their relationship as reality begins to set in. Remember that Talia struggles with keeping her OCD in check and Bran has trust issues thanks to a previous girlfriend and his own parental drama. Now living together and being around each other 24/7 really draws the curtains back on their issues. They’re forced to learn to deal with those issues because turning away is not an option.  One of their biggest hurdles is communication. Either one will tend to shut down depending on the circumstance. It’s clear they love each other fiercely and their physical attraction is limitless (plenty of magic time). They just need to work out the kinks.

I had a love/hate thing going on while reading this. I loved all their silly banter and how much they were into each other. What got me upset was Bran. Because of his fear of losing Talia, he’s ready to resort to a short-sighted plan to keep her with him. He’s so consumed with this that he’s willing to give up an opportunity of a lifetime, something he’s been passionate about for some time. Talia knows this and has a hard time handling it. But he’s not the only one with dreams. She has her own and as she starts to find her footing, she begins to realize that may be she could have it all – her dream boy AND her dream calling. She’s willing to try but convincing Bran? That’s another matter entirely.  I admit that my being upset with the characters during this part of the story is simply due to the gift of hindsight on my part and a lack of it on theirs. Bran and Talia are in their early twenties and have so much to experience out in the world that I was concerned about them tying themselves to each other before fully taking flight.

Things work out in the end though not the way either of them envision. But that’s okay. By the time I was done with Sideswiped I felt renewed hope for this couple. They go through quite a bit of hardship that tests their resolve. The effect it has on each of them is interesting. For Bran, the more things feel out of control, the more stubborn and overbearing he gets. It's like he has this lasso around their relationship that tightens by the minute. Talia’s reaction is the opposite. With each new thing thrown her way, she demonstrates a growing confidence in herself and a willingness to step out of her comfort zone. So as Bran falters slightly, Talia is "finding her brave" as my kids like to say. 

I wasn't certain where things were headed while I was reading it, but I ended up liking Sideswiped even more than Upside Down. Bran and Talia had to be forced out of their bubble at some point to face their challenges head on. It's the inevitable part of growing up and I'm anxious to see how they tackle the next phase in their lives!

~ Bel